Peat-Mosses 



Teeth (peristome). None. 



Spores. Rough, mature from March to June. 



Distribution. Quite universal. 



Genus BRUCHIA, Schwaegr. 



The species of the Genus Bruchia are minute, with simple 

 or two-forked stems. They are found growing in loose clusters 

 on the ground. 



The stem-leaves are 

 small and distant, those 

 toward the apex being long- 

 er and crowded to form a 

 rosette. The vein of all 

 leaves isdistinctto the apex. 



The spore-cases are 

 emergent, oval and beaked, 

 with a base which tapers 

 into a long solid neck 

 (collum). They open irregu- 

 larly for the emission of the 

 spores as they have no lid. 



There are eighteen 

 species in all, two in Europe 

 and eleven in North 

 America. 



The generic name 

 Bruchia was applied by D. Fridericus Schwaegrichen in 1824, 

 in honour of the distinguished bryologist Ph. Bruch, one of 

 the authors of " The Bryologia Europaea." 



Bruchia flexuosa, Muell. 



Habit and habitat. Found on clay or on base soil in fields or 

 under old willows and along brooks. 



Name. The specific name flexuosa, the Latin for "crooked," 

 refers to the curving of the stems near the bases. 



Plant (gametopbyte*) . In loose tufts, stems comparatively 

 long, curved downward at the base. 



Leaves. Stem-leaves distant, very small, nearly smooth, 

 narrowly lance-shaped and prolonged into an awn; apex ob- 

 scurely serrate. 



Habit of fl(nvering. Male and female flowers close together on 



139 



Leaf. 



Leaf, side view 

 Plant. showing vein. 



Bruchia flexuosa. 



